Artificial Intelligence enhancements have arrived for Windows 11, with a notable upgrade to the Snipping Tool now boosting my desire for an integrated Copilot PC.
Windows 11's latest AI update brings a host of AI-powered features designed to boost productivity, creativity, and system management. However, the availability of these features depends on the type of PC, particularly whether it is a "Copilot+ PC."
Key New AI Features
- Copilot Vision: This AI assistant can visually comprehend what is on your screen in real time – documents, apps, or websites – and offer suggestions, generate charts, autofill forms, or highlight actionable areas. It is integrated into the Copilot app and currently available mostly for U.S. users on Copilot+ PCs.
- AI Settings Agent: This feature allows users to control system settings by natural language commands, simplifying accessibility. It is currently exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, initially rolling out on devices with AMD, Intel, and Snapdragon processors, prioritizing Snapdragon-powered PCs first.
- Relight in Photos: An AI-powered photo editing tool that adjusts lighting with a single click for easier image enhancement is available for Snapdragon X-powered Copilot+ PCs.
- Paint Enhancements (Object Select): Improved AI-assisted object selection in Paint for easier image editing is also part of the update.
- Perfect Screenshot & Universal Color Picker: Enhancements in the Snipping Tool and color selection utilities through AI assistance for better screenshot capturing and color handling are also included.
- Other AI Tools: Features like Click To Do for task management and improvements in Windows search via AI are available on Copilot+ PCs.
Differences Based on PC Type
Copilot+ PCs
These are the primary beneficiaries of the new AI features with enhanced AI integration like Copilot Vision and AI Settings Agent. They include PCs powered by Snapdragon initially, with Intel and AMD devices receiving updates over time. These PCs get exclusive AI tooling such as Recall (a preview feature), enhanced search, and Click To Do features.
Non-Copilot+ PCs
While there are some AI actions (like AI enhancements in File Explorer) arriving for all Windows 11 systems, the full suite of AI features, particularly those deeply integrated with the Copilot app and real-time AI interaction, remain limited or unavailable for non-Copilot+ PCs.
In summary, Windows 11's AI features in 2025 centre around the Copilot app and AI assistants for settings and content comprehension, with full access largely reserved for newer or specially configured Copilot+ PCs, while other Windows 11 machines receive more modest AI enhancements.
- The Copilot Vision, an AI assistant that provides real-time visual understanding of screen content, is available primarily on the Copilot+ PCs.
- The AI Settings Agent, which simplifies system settings control via natural language commands, is exclusive to Copilot+ PCs.
- The Relight in Photos, an AI-powered photo editing tool, is accessible only on Snapdragon X-powered Copilot+ PCs.
- The improved AI-assisted object selection in Paint is part of the update but benefits Copilot+ PCs.
- Enhancements in the Snipping Tool and color selection utilities through AI assistance for better screenshot capturing and color handling are available only on Copilot+ PCs.
- Features like Click To Do for task management and improved Windows search via AI are available only on Copilot+ PCs.
Moreover, Copilot+ PCs, especially those powered by Snapdragon initially, are the primary beneficiaries of the new AI features with enhanced AI integration. Other PCs, however, only receive modest AI enhancements, with certain AI actions like AI enhancements in File Explorer available for all Windows 11 systems. The full suite of AI features, particularly those deeply integrated with the Copilot app and real-time AI interaction, remain limited or unavailable for non-Copilot+ PCs.
